North battle South. Report from Allie Chong

Yesterday some Day Trippers from Giffnock North caught a very early bus to the British Cross Challenge event at Sefton Park, Liverpool. Several others, who preferred the luxury of a lie in had driven down the night before and the blue Albert Bartlett tent was the place for all to Come Together.
The cold storm winds didn’t bypass Liverpool so a chilly day was had by all, but a flat hard packed course made for some fast times.
Calum Dick set the ball rolling with a fantastic run to win the u13 boys event. His gold medal must have weighed at least 1kg! He was followed home by Patrick Fraser (10), Aaron Reid( 13), younger brother Kian Dick (17) and Ethan Scobie (26).
The u13 girls fell foul due to a marshalling error which set them off on a longer loop than anticipated, meaning they ran 3.8k rather than the advertised 3k . This didn’t phase our quartet, who slogged it out, with Freya Scobie leading the pack home in 13th position. Sarah McNulty, Eva Saez and Edie Campbell all finished in the top half of a good field.
Craig Shennan led the charge for the u15 boys finishing a strong  2nd place ahead of Alasdair Nugent(7), Jack Wallace(14), Calan Chong(15) and Charlie McAllister (65). Craig continues his excellent form in this series of events.
The u15 girls had a team of 6 and Freya Campbell  had a great run finishing in 8th, backed up by Scarlett Wilson (27), Mili MacFarlane(44), Ruth Walsh(49), Soirse McNulty (61) and Ella McWilliams (75). Notable were the strong finishing straight efforts from all the athletes into a stiff headwind.

The u17 girls were led home by Valencia Wright in 12th, with Kate Paul, Emma McLennan amd Tuscany Wright having to fight through a busy field in top class field.
Reuben MacDonald was part of one of the most exciting finishes of the day, sprinting across the line to finish first Scot home in 4th position just ahead of Fraser Gilmour from VP Glasgow. Cameron Green had a great run in 24th and Matthew Knak finished off a fast trip from GN.
Hamish Armitt battled all the way with the top runners in the u20 men’s race to win another GB vest in the upcoming Euro Cross Event in Dublin finishing in 4th position.
The senior races were also worth a watch with Olympians Jess Judd and Andy Butchart amongst many international standard athletes competing.
Allie Chong finished first FV50 in the women’s race, and Andy Macdonald and Ricky Saez ( in his first proper XC race) acquitting themselves admirably in a field dominated by fast young athletes .
Then it was back on the bus for the Long and Winding road home, past Penny Lane at the periphery of the park to Get Back to Glasgow.

Thanks to Allie for a great report! And your 1st place V50 too!
Thanks to coaches & parents for the Photos